Improvement in table-leaf supports



P. J. vLILJ'EEIOIZIIVL'.

TABLE-LEAF SUPPORT. No,173.976. v Patented Feb. 22, 1876 B (J 7 y 7 I,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. A

PETER J. LILJEHOLM, or ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT I N TABLE-LEAF SUPPORTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 173,976, dated February 22,1876; application filed October 27, 1875.

the following is a specification:

The invention consists in the construction of the devices that support the leaf of a ta ble when the leaf is in the same plane with the bed of the table, as will be fully hereinafv ter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a transverse view of a table with the leaf thereof supported by the improved support; Fig.

2, a view of the 'samewith the support and leafpfolded; Fig. 3, a plan view of support from the under side of the leaf; and Figs. 4

and 5, details of parts of the support.

A represents the bed of the table, and A the frame or rails that supports the bed, constructed in the common manner. B is the fall-leaf of a table, hinged in the usual way to the bed A, and so as to be folded or let down to the position seen in Fig. 2. O is the supporting-brace, hinged or pivoted to the frame or railA at 0 so as to freely swing in the hinge. D is the fixed part of a metal guideway-plate, made fast to theinner or under side of the table-leaf B, by screws or other contrivances, and at the end, toward the frame A, forms a right angle, d, and at the extreme end of the angle it turns at another right angle, d, so that when the fallleaf is in position seen in Fig. 1 it will project down, and thereby forms a fender to hold the bracesupport in place when the leaf is raised, and prevents any lateral strain or blow from throwing the brace out of its look when supporting the leaf.

On the outer end of the guide-plate-D is formed a shield for a spring, by projecting at right angles at d, from the face of plate D, a sufficient distance to receive a spring, and then turn to form plate d, to shield the spring between plate d and the leaf of the table and allow freedom of action in the spring.

that its inner edge, from its outer end to thepoint d", is parallel to the inner edge of D,

and after passing point (1" it curves toward plate D, and the sp.;ce between the two becomes much narrower at notch d" where it forms a square shoulder, and against which the T-shaped end of brace O is stopped, locked, and-held when the leaf is raised, as seen in Fig. 1.

The projection d on plate D strikes against the rear wall of notch 013"" at the extreme inner end ofplate D, and prevents the nearer approach of the two plates. At the outer endof plate D is a pin, d projecting toward stud d, and around whichis spiral spring 6, one end bearing against the inner side of plate D and the other against the stud or upright part cl of plate D, as seen in Fig. 5. I y

The plates D and D are constructed to receive and allow the T-shaped end of brace O to be held between and freely slide-therein, as seen in section in Fig. 4.

By such constructionof plates and bracesupport, and affixed to' the table as described, as the table-leaf is raised the T-end of the brace slides between 'the plates toward the narrow opening, and as it strikes against the curved edge of plate I) it forces it'out and compresses the spring a until the end of the brace passes notch or shoulder d when the spring acts to close in the inner end ofthe pivoted plate D, and the brace'O is locked fast in its place, holding the table-leaf firmly in position, as seen in Fig. 1. 1

When the table-leaf is to be folded down, as seen in Fig. 2, it is only necessary to force the outer end of plate D to contract the spring, so that the space between the plates at notch (if will allow the end of the brace to freely pass betweenthem, when the leaf will fold by its own weight.

.This construction afl'ords a cheap and safe 2. In a support for table leaves, the pivsupport to a table-leaf, that is easily operoted and curved edged guide-plateD, havated. ing the notch or shoulder d" and spring 0,

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letsubstantially as described. ters Patent, is j 1. The brace-support O, in combination PETER JOHAN LILJEHOLM. with the fixed guide-plate D, pivoted and I curved plate D, and spring. '6, constructed Witnesses: and operating as and for the purposes de- GEORGE E. KING, scribed. W. F. BARNES. 

